More than 122,000 cases of Gatorade have been recalled across 37 states, including California, after the drinks were found to contain food dyes that were not declared on their labels.
The recall affects certain 28-ounce bottles of Gatorade Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Read more: Why you should visit Griffith Observatory on a Monday, when it's closed
PepsiCo, which makes Gatorade, voluntarily initiated the recall on September 25, with the FDA classifying it as a Class II recall on October 2. The recall remains ongoing.
Why is Gatorade being recalled?
The affected drinks may contain undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, artificial food colorings used to give food and drinks their color.
The issue is particularly important for people who are sensitive to these dyes because their presence was not properly declared on the product labels.
The FDA has classified the recall as Class II. According to the agency, that means exposure to the affected product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, while the probability of serious health consequences is considered remote.
This does not mean that every bottle of Gatorade has been recalled.
- Follow SpillLA.com on Instagram, Facebook and X
Which Gatorade flavors are affected?
The recall applies to specific 28-ounce bottles of four Gatorade varieties:
- Gatorade Lemon Lime
- Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero
- Gatorade Orange
- Gatorade Orange Zero
The FDA says the affected cases were distributed across 37 states, including California.
The beverages have lot dates between April 2027 and June 2027, according to reporting based on the FDA recall information.
California is among the states affected
California is one of the 37 states where the recalled Gatorade was distributed.
That means shoppers in Los Angeles and elsewhere across the state should check any affected Gatorade they may have purchased before drinking it.
The other states included in the recall are Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington.
What should you do if you have recalled Gatorade?
If you have one of the affected 28-ounce bottles at home, check the FDA's recall information to determine whether your product is included.
Consumers who have an affected product should follow the recall instructions rather than drinking it, particularly if they know they are sensitive to Yellow No. 5 or Yellow No. 6.
The FDA's official recall notice contains the product information consumers need to identify the affected cases.
It is also important not to assume that every bottle of one of the listed flavors is automatically part of the recall. The recall applies to specific products and lots.
Can you get a refund for recalled Gatorade?
It was not immediately clear whether refunds were available for consumers who had already purchased the affected drinks.
CBS News reported that PepsiCo had not immediately responded to a request for information about whether customers would be eligible for refunds.
For now, anyone in California who regularly buys Gatorade should check their bottles against the official FDA recall information before consuming an affected product.
The recall is ongoing, so consumers should check for updated information if they are unsure whether a particular bottle or case is included.
Have you got a story to share with SpillLA.com? Email our writers at: editorial@spillla.com